Overview

Comprehensive Description

Comments

Vervain Mallow is very similar in appearance to another mallow that is often cultivated, Musk Mallow (Malva moschata). Vervain Mallow differs from the latter species by having leaves that are less deeply lobed, floral bracts that are ovate in shape rather than oblong-linear, and mericarps that have hairless outer sides rather than pubescent sides. Another species, High Mallow (Malva sylvestris), differs from the preceding mallows by having leaves that lack secondary lobes and its flowers are often a deeper shade of pink or purple. All of these Eurasian species have attractive flowers.

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Description

This is a perennial plant about 1½-3½' tall that branches occasionally. The stems are light green, angular or terete, and glabrous to slightly pubescent. Alternate leaves occur along these stems; they have long petioles. Individual leaves are 1½-3¼" long and similarly across; they are palmately lobed (3-7 primary lobes each). Individual lobes are irregularly pinnatifid and dentate. Generally, the primary lobes of the leaves are moderately deep, while the secondary lobes are more shallow; lower leaves are less deeply lobed than upper leaves. The upper leaf surface is yellowish green to dark green and glabrous, while the lower leaf surface is light green and glabrous to slightly pubescent. The petioles are as long as the leaves or longer; they are light green and glabrous to slightly pubescent. The upper and lateral stems terminate in clusters of flowers. Each flower is 1½-2½" across, consisting of 5 white to pink petals, 5 light green sepals, and a white columnar structure with the reproductive organs. Individual petals are obcordate-obdeltate with somewhat ragged outer margins; sometimes they have fine radiating veins that are rosy pink. The sepals are about one-third the length of the petals, ovate in shape, and densely pubescent; they are joined together at the base. Underneath the sepals of each flower, there are 3 sepal-like bracts that are ovate in shape and densely pubescent; they are a little shorter than the sepals. Pedicels and peduncles of the flowers are light green, densely pubescent, and rather short (less than 2" in length). The blooming period occurs during the summer for 1-2 months. Individual flowers are short-lived. Each flower is replaced by a ring of mericarps (hardened structures containing one or more seeds). For this species, each mericarp contains a single seed. The mericarps are about ¼" long, reniform, and hairless. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself.

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Distribution

Range and Habitat in Illinois

The introduced Vervain Mallow has reportedly naturalized in Kane County of NE Illinois (see Distribution Map). However, some naturalized populations of Malva moschata (Musk Mallow) within the state may be Vervain Mallow instead, as these two similar species are often confused with each other. Vervain Mallow was introduced into North America from Eurasia as an ornamental garden plant. It is still cultivated in gardens, from where it rarely escapes. Habitats of naturalized populations consist of roadsides and waste areas where there is a history of disturbance.

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Ecology

Habitat

Range and Habitat in Illinois

The introduced Vervain Mallow has reportedly naturalized in Kane County of NE Illinois (see Distribution Map). However, some naturalized populations of Malva moschata (Musk Mallow) within the state may be Vervain Mallow instead, as these two similar species are often confused with each other. Vervain Mallow was introduced into North America from Eurasia as an ornamental garden plant. It is still cultivated in gardens, from where it rarely escapes. Habitats of naturalized populations consist of roadsides and waste areas where there is a history of disturbance.

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Associations

Faunal Associations

According to Müller (1873/1883) in Germany, the flowers of Vervain Mallow are visited primarily by honeybees, Andrenid bees, and other bees. He also reported bee flies (Bombyliidae) and skippers as floral visitors. These insects obtained primarily nectar from the flowers. Some insects feed destructively on the foliage and other parts of Vervain Mallow and other Malva spp. (mallows). These insect feeders include Aphis gossypii (Cotton Aphid) and the caterpillars of the following butterflies, skippers, and moths

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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems

Benefits

Cultivation

The preference is full or partial sun, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam or sandy loam. The leaves often become yellowish in response to hot dry weather and they are occasionally damaged by foliar disease.

Contents

It is a herbaceousperennial plant growing to 50–125 cm tall, with stems covered in stellate hairs, meaning they branch at the free end into several strands. The leaves are 2-8 cm long and 2-8 cm broad, palmately lobed with five to seven blunt lobes; basal leaves on the lower stem are very shallowly lobed, those higher on the stems are deeply divided, with digitate finger-like lobes. The flowers appear singly near the apex of corymboseracemes growing from the leaf axils in summer to early fall. They are 3.5–6 cm diameter, with five sepals and five bright pink petals, and have no scent. The bracteoles that make up the epicalyx are ovate and wide at the base where they are fused with the calyx. The fruit is a hairless disc-shaped schizocarp 4–8 mm diameter, containing several seeds, the seeds individually enclosed in a glabrous or hairy mericarp. It has a chromosome count of 2n=84.[3][4][5][6]

It is most common in drier soils in thickets, along paths and in waste places. Natural hybrids with the closely related Malva moschata are occasionally found. In central Europe it grows at altitudes of up to 2,000 m.[3]

It has been widely grown outside of its native range as an ornamental plant. Several cultivars exist such as 'Fastigata', an upright form, and 'Alba', a white flowered form. In some areas, such as the northeastern United States, the plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalised. It is very similar to, and often confused with Malva moschata.[7]